23. Yoga and Education in Kerala

Patanjali was the first person to author a book on yoga in which he has systematised and co-ordinated the ancient science of yoga. The Patanjalayogasutra consists of 196 yoga uphorisms, which had deal with all aspects of yoga. Ashtanga yoga consisting of eight parts or stages to achieve the final goal of emancipation has been described very systematically. In the recent years yoga was revived and rejuvenated by Swami Vivekananda, Sri. Arabindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Krishna Murthy and others. 89 The practice of yoga helps to archieve mental balance and improve health and physical efficiency.

231 Yoga is a contribution of ancient India by observing which people all over the world can maintain health of body and mind. In the olden days. yogis were connected with asceticism. Modern world finds in yoga the perfect way for making a sound body and mind in the middle of the stress. and strain of contemporary life, therefore there has been wide demand for yoga in different sections of the society. Short-term yoga courses are now common in school and college campus. Yoga classes are being organised. In the community living camps and it has been included in the new syllabus in the eighth standard Sanskrit text in Kerala. Usually knowledge in Sanskrit is not essential for yoga. But a student who wants to learn a theoretical aspects could proceed only with a working knowledge of Sanskrit. Patanjali Yogavidyapitham Chalakudy is conducting yoga classes through thirty three centres spread all over Kerala. They started class in the year 1997. The duration of a course is 25 days one hour each day. The special features of the classes are that they take 90 care to use Sanskrit terms during instructions.` Vyasa Yogavidyapitham, The Bharatiya Vicarakendra also conducts Yoga and Sanskrit classes.